Olympics men’s basketball results: Semifinals – August 19

For the second straight game, defense was at the center of the United States’ victory, holding Spain to 28-of-72 (38.9 percent) from the field.

While Serbia will be making their first appearance in the gold medal game, they bring a deep basketball pedigree to the final. Team USA will be going for their third straight gold medal, and they will have to get through their toughest opponent yet.

Spain answered with a 16-9 run, Sergio Fernandez scoring five to lead the spurt, but Thompson added a 3-pointer to boost the United States lead entering the third quarter.

They will face the victor of Friday’s semifinal between Serbia and Australia on Sunday in the Gold medal game.

The changes coach K made in their lineup would prove effective again. “If I have both of those, I’ll be very happy, and hopefully a few more in my time as a player”.

The United States shot out to an early lead, gradually building lead that reached nine points by the end of the first quarter. The official’s whistle blew – an offensive foul that, essentially, ended Spain’s chances.

In a game that featured 41 total personal fouls, and six technical fouls, all called in the second quarter, both Spain and the US had to battle the whistle.

Add Elena Delle Donne, the 2015 WNBA MVP, and Brittney Griner, the 2015 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and Sylvia Fowles, the 2015 WNBA Finals MVP, and the team is nearly unstoppable.

Spain were down by 45-39 in the first half with a big help from the bench, which contributed 32 points compared to the 17 from the U.S. And they couldn’t shoot – they hit just 4-of-31 from three. When I was growing up as a kid, I really wanted to play for Team USA. Whenever he got the ball down low, his teammates cleared out and let him go to work. He would finish the first three quarters with 9 points, and 12 rebounds.

After trailing by as many as eight, the US beat Australia by 10 in its third game. Yet, he just played an enormous role in eliminating Spain from gold-medal contention.

While Spain would look more energized in the beginning of fourth, team US would match their energy.

The sides continued to exchange buckets in the third quarter, as Spain struggled to make the surge it needed to get the game back level.

Looking ahead, the Americans will face either Australia or Serbia as they look to capture their third consecutive gold medal in men’s basketball.

Klay Thompson led the charge for the Americans with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

Spain’s Rudy Fernandez, left, fights for a rebound with United States’ Draymond Green (14) during a semifinal round basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. In the end, the favorites in the Americans advanced to the gold medal game, 82-76. It is the quadrennial quandary for the United States, one the players lament when they play an uneven game: How can they come together for a training camp in July, following grueling National Basketball Association seasons, and immediately be cohesive?